Seed-dropping mechanism.



PATENTED JULY 12, 1904. W. LANDERSON & J. w. HORNBY.

SEED DROPPING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED 001227. 1903.

[(0 MODEL.

3 SHBETS-SHEET 1- m ezmwm Q Maw Hdiigzsses PATENTED JULY 12, 1904.

W. J. ANDERSON & LW. HORNEY. SEED DROPPING MBGHANIQM. APPLIOATION 1 1mm 001'.27. 1003. N0 MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

wifgas sz WW W% wqlfomg'eys No. 764,544. I v PATBNTED JULY 12,1904. w. J. Annmasou'az J. w. HORNEY. SEED DROPPING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED OUT-27. 1903.

N0 MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET-S.

3144 45545 I ow MW: @AUorgays new and useful Seed-Dropping Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

= the. machine or apparatus.

' of the chec useful-improvements in seed-droppingmeclielected to show our invention applied to one UN ITED STATES I Patented July 12, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM J. ANDERSON AND JAMES- W. i-ionnnr, or ona, ILLINOIS.

SEED-DROPPING MECHAN lSI Vl.

simcmIeATIoN forming part of Letters v Application filed October 27, 1963 1'0 all warm inlay concern; Be it kriown that we, WILLIAM J. ANDERsoN and J AMEs W, ,HORNEY, citizens of the United ,"States, residing at Loda, in the county of Iroquois and State of Illino1s, have invented a This invention relates to certain new and anism. The invention has for its object to provide a device of this class by means of which charges of equal or of varying size or ofany desired number of seeds maybe deposited at each operation within the limits of the size of Our invention, moreover, provides for the depositing of alternate numbers of seeds at eaclroperation. Thus, for instance, thede: vice may be set so as to deposit two seeds at each operation, or it maydepos it alternately two and three seeds, or ifi may deposit three seeds at each operation, or it may deposit alternately threeandfour seeds at each operation, and so on, thus to provide for themost' perfect distribution of the seeds, according to the condition of the seeds and the soil. With these and other objects in view our. invention consists .in'the improved construction, arrangement, and combination of parts which will be hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out inthe claims.

- In the accompanying drawings we .have

of that class of corn-planters'which are equipped with a rotary secd disk to which a partial rotation is imparted at each operation king mechanism, saidseed-disk be 'ing provided with seed cups or openings receiving the seed from theh'opper and carrying it to the (liselunrgeopening in the baseplate of the seedbox, through which it may escape into the seed tube or shoe; but it will be understood that the invention is equally applicable to-other forms of seed-planters and that we do not limit ourselves to the exact construction and arrangement of parts herein shown.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view andhopper having been removed.

of a portion of a planter-frame equipped with adjacent to the housing-ring,

Patent No. 764,544, dated July 12, 1904.

Serial No. 178,762. (to model.)

our improvement, surplus par-ts oi' the frame Fig. 2 is a plan View of the seed-disk. Fig. 3 is a plan -v.:1ew showing the bottom of the hopper from which the seed-disk and cut-oil devices have been removed. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 4: 4. m 3.

Fig. 51is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 5 5 in Fig. 1. v ew taken on the Fig. 6is an axial sectional line 66 in Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a-detail-sectional View taken on the line 7 7 in Fig. 1. the cut-off devices. Figs. 9, l0, l1, and 12 are diagrammatic plan views showing the seed-disk of the invention and indicating the Fig; 8 is an 'invertecl plan View of cut-off slide in various positions withrelation to said seed-disk. V

Corresponding parts 1n the several figures areindicated by slmilar numerals of refcrence.

1 designates parts of the frame of an ordihary check-row planter, which carries a roc'lc shaft 2, operated by the tappet-lever 3 in the ordinary well-known manner.

4 is a shaft suitably journaled in the frame and carrying a wheel 5, having means, such as cross-pieces 6, adapted to be engaged by a at each oscillation of the lattel the .wheel 5 shall be partially rotated. Means for retractforked pawl 7, pivotally connected with an e arm 8, extending from the rock-shaft, so that ing the arm 8, carrying the pawl 7, are 013* viously provided; but such means have not been shown in the drawings, because they form V a part of the equipment of ordinary checkrow planters. I

In a complete machine two or more hoppers may be provided; but in the drawings hercto' annexed only one hopper has been shown, this being requisite for a perfect understanding of the invention. Thus while hereinafter only the singlehopp'er will be referred toit will be understood that additional hoppers,or at leastanadditional hopper, will he usually employed. The hopper, then, is

lar in shape and surrounded by an annular ring'l0, constituting a housing. An annular beveled groove 11 is formed "in the base-piat and the basecomposed of a base-plate 9, preferably Cll'Cll'J Ioc 'ings or seed-cups 25.

groove 11, the latter being provided with aslot 18, through which extends theteeth of a bevel-pinion 19, mounted upon the shaft 4 and meshing with the bevel-gear 17.

The upper side of theseed-disk is provided with a plurality of concentric ribs or ridges, of which in the accompanying drawings three have been shown, said ribs being numbered consecutively 20, 21, and 22, the outer rib being numbered 20 and: the inner one 22. The outerrib 2O isdisposed at a greater'distance from the outer edge of the disk than the thickness between -any two of the ribs, which latter are disposed equidistantly apart. The disk is provided with a plurality of perforations forming seed-cups, and these. perforationsor cups are disposed in aspecial manner, which we will now proceed to describe.

Let the seed-disk be divided by imaginary radial lines into a suitablenumber of sections or sectors, of which in the drawings eight have been shown, each sector beingdesignated 23 and each dividing-line 2 4. Adjacent to the outer side of the outer rib 20 we form closely adjacent to each dividing-line 24: two open- These cups or openings are formed closely adjacent to each other, as

shown. Between the ribs 20 and 21 we form openings 26, which are disposed directly across alternate dividing-lines 24. Between the ribs 21 and 22 we form openings 27 across alter nate dividing-lines 24, but intercurrently with the openings 26. Adjacent to the inner side or the inner rib 22 we form additional openings 28, which are disposed in alinement with ""t'he'openings 26- and intercurrently with the openings 27. One or more additional sets of ribs and perforations might be used, but the number illustrated in the drawings is deemed suflicient to clearly illustrate the invention. In the drawings, moreover, thedisk has been shown as divided by eight radiallines into eight sectors, each set of seed-cups being thus equally spaced apart.

The base-plate of the hopper is provided with a slot 29, approximately rectangular in shape, extending from the center of the disk to the beveled groove 11 and having downweirdly-inclined or beveled edges 30, supporting a slide 31 t suitable length. This slide is connected by a strap 32, secured to its under side, with an arm 33 extending from a rock-shaft 34, having at one end an operatinglever 35, whereby it may be conveniently manipulated by the driver or operator of the manot shown in the drawings.

the two that have been showi'i.

the lever 3 the seed-disk shall be rotated sufficiently to bring the next set of seed -cups 25 into alinement with the slot 29. Now it is obvious that when the slide 31 is so positioned that the outer end of the slot 29 only shall be uncovered at each movement of the disk, as shown in Fig. 9, the contents of the two seedcups will be permitted to drop through said slot to be conducted to the ground 1 by means Each cup or perforation in the seed-disk is obviously of such a size as to accommodate only a single kernel of corn. When the slide 31 is moved toward the center of the base-plate, so as to uncover the space between the first and second ribs 20 and 21 upon the upper side of the seed-disk.

as shown in Fig. 10, it is obvious that at eacl operation of the seed-disk the contents of tw and three seed-cups will be alternately permitted t o escape. A stilt'further movement of the seed-slide in the direction of the center or axis will result in the uncovering of the space lying'between the perimeter of the disk and the inner side of the rib 22, asshown in Fig. 11. Each operation of the disk will thus result in the droppingof the contents of three seed-cups, while by moving the seed-slide still farther in an inward direction to the position shown in Fig. 12 the portion of the disk having the cups 28 will be uncovered. Thus the rotation or operation of the disk will result in the dropping alternately of the contents of three and four cups.

nel each, it is obvious that the number of seeds dropped may be gaged and regulated with absolute certainty. It is obvious that by the peculiar construction herein shown not less than two kernels d v The cups being, as stated, of a capacity to carry only a single ker- IIO may be dropped atany one time, this being the lowestfnumber that it is usually desirable to deposit in each hill. It is obvious, how- .ever, that it would be no departure from our invention to substitute a single seed-cup for It is also evident that, given a'disk of suflicient size, the alternate intercurrent arrangement of circumferentially-disposed seed-cupsmay be continued indefinitely. In the drawings hereto anneked, however, we have shown what will he usually considered a simple and practical arrangement. v

The seed-diskiis retained in position upon the base-plate of the hopper by means of a central cap-plate 36, which rests upon the upper edge of. ith Q bOBlB -fiI- Q, in such a manner as to avoid unnecessary frictional contact between said cap-plate and the disk, the former being secured bymeans of a screw or bolt 37, extending through a central perforation in l the cap-plate and engaging a screw-threaded socket 38 in the boss 12. An annular closure or ring 39 is also. disposed to fit closely within the annular housing-ring 10 above the edge of the seed-disk, which latter is thereby guided and held in such a manner that disengagement between the teeth of the annularbevel-gear 17 and the pinion 19 shall be absolutely impossible. The cap-plate 36 and the ring 39 are connected by means of an arched brace 40'and also by means of a cutoffplate41, the latter being sector-shaped, as shown. I Said cut-off plate is provided at its frontedge (by the ffront edge we mean the edge under which the seed-cups of the rotary seed-disk enter when the disk is rotated in the proper direction) with a plurality of spaced recesses 42, in each of which is placed a cutofi finger 43, therear end of which is tapered and supported under a cross-piece 44, While the front ends of said fingers are curved downwardly, so as to contact with the upper'faces of the seedalisk between the ribs 20, 21, and. 22, and adjacent to the outer. and inner ribs notches 43 being formed at the lower corhere of each finger to accommodate the adjacent ribs. In other words,a separate cut-off finger is provided for each circumferential 58 ries of seed-cups. The front or engaging ends of these cut-ofl" fingers are forced downwardly by means "of springs 45, coiled upon pins 46, extending upwardly from said fingers'end bearing againstthe underside of a cap 47, which is suitably secured to the upper side of the cut-oil plate above the said cut-olf fingers. To the under side of the cutofl plate we secure a plurality of flatejectorsprings 48, extending rearwardly and clown wardly, so as to bear upon the upper side of the seed disk and cups. The free ends of these springs are disposed directly above the slot 29, and said springs thus serve in case the kernels should exhibit a tendency to stick inthe seed-cups to eject said" kernels in a downward direction to the exit.

. From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings hereto annexed, the operation and advantages of our inven- .tion will be readily understood. It is obvious that by properly setting the slide 31 the device may be so adjusted as to plant with absolute certainty and regularity the desired number of seeds in each hill and that, further-- more, by the peculiar arrangement'iof the seed-cups in the disk alternate numbers at seeds maybe planted in alternate hills. To

secure the slide 31 at the proper adjustment, the lever 35, by meansof which said slide is V operated, may be provided with simple means,

such as a spring-actuated dogand rack, where- ;ing the dropping of the charges.

charges of seed.

by it will beheld in adjusted position. Such seed.

devices, however, are well known in the art and are no part of our invention.

We desire it to be distinctly understood that the. gist of our invention resides, first, in

'means forming 'part of the sccd-drop 'iing mechanism, whereby by successive or alternate operations of the dropping mechanism I charges of seed varying in quantity may be dropped or deposited;-socondly, in a construc equal size or consisting of the, same number of seeds. We prefer to define the means whereby dilferentlal charges are alternately or successively delivered as being automatic-. 7

that is, with regard toetfecting the variation as to the size or quantity of the charges of seeddeposited, being well aware that seeddropping mechanism as generally known and used includes means for automatically effect- We desire it to be understood that automatic dropping means of this class We do not claim.,.. On the other hand, we do not limit ourselves to the specific means herein shown and described for carrying our invention into effect, inasmuch as under'our invention many structural changes and alterations might be made in, the means forautomatically varying the quantity deposited by the exercise of ordinary mechanical skill.

Therefore, having thus described our in vention, we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States- 1. In a seed-planter, means for depositing automatically variable charges of seed.

"2. In a seedsplanter, means for automatically varying the quantity of seed deposited.

3. In a seed-planter, means forautomaticallyand alternately depositing different quan: ties of seed. i i

4. In a seed-planter, means for automatically and successively depositing diflerent' numbers of seeds. J l '5. Ina seed-planter, intermittently-operated means for alternately depositing charges bf seed, varying'in quantity. p

6. In aseed-planter, intermittently-operated, automatic means 7 In a'seed-planter, means for dropping automatically variablecliarges of seed, andregulating means to determinethe charges to be successivelydropped.

8. A seed-planter having seed-dropping for depositing varying "means fordepositing variable charges of'seed v alternately and successively, and means for predetermining the charges to be delivered. 9. In a seed-planter, seed-droppingmeans deposited, and manually-adjustable means for! regulating the seed-dropping mechanism to drop at each discharge an equal quantity of I 25 for automatically varying the quantity of seed 10. In a seed-planter, an intermittently-revoluhle seed-disk having concentric spacingribs, pairs of seed-cups spaced equidistantly and disposed adjacent to the outer rib, and additional seed-cups disposed between the concentric ribs and ad acent to the inner rib 1n ahnement with and alternately with relation to the outer pairs of seed-cups and inter-currently with relation to each other.

11. In a seed-planter, a seed-disk having a plurality of circumferential series of seedcups, each adapted to hold a single kernel, the seed-cups of each circumferential series being disposed inter-currently with those of adjacent series, and a cutoff whereby the delivery from any desired number of the circumferential series of cups may be obstructed.

12. In a planter, a hopper having a baseplate, a circular housing-ring, and a beveled groove adjacent to said housing-ring, a seeddisk supported upon said bottom plate and having a bevel-gear formed circumferentially upon its under sid e,a pinion extending through v a slot in the bottom of the beveled recess and meshing with said bevel-gear, and means for supporting and for intermittently rotating said pinion.

13. In a planter, a base-plate having a cen tral upwardly-extending boss having an internally-threaded recess, a circular housing surrounding the base-plate, aseed-disk supported upon the base-plate and having a peroration engaging the boss, a cap-plate resting upon the upper edge of thellatterand having a? central perforation, and a bolt engaging said central perforation and the internally-threaded recess of the boss.

11a. In a planter, a circular base-plate having'a central, upwardly-extending boss with an internally-tln'eaded recess, a housing surrounding said base-plate, an annular beveled groove in the latter, a seed-disk supported revolubl y upon the base, having a central perforation engaging the boss and provided with a circumferential bevel-gear housed in the beveled groove, a pinion extending through a slot" in said groove and meshing with said bevel- ,gear, a. cap plate mounted upon the upper I edge of the'boss and spaced by the latter from frictional contact Withthe seed-disk, a connecting-bol t. an'annular closure disposedabove the circumferential seed-plate, and means connecting said closure with the cap-plate 15. In a planter, a circular base-plate haw ing a circular housing-ring, aheveled groom adjacent to said housingring and an approximately rectangular slot extending from the center of the base-plate to the annular groove therein, said slot having beveled sides, a'slide supported upon the beveled sides of said slot with its upper side flush with the upper side of the base-plate, means for adjusting said slide, a circular seed-disk supported upon the base-plate and having a bevel-gear engaging the annular beveled groove in the latter, a plurality of -seriesof seed-cups formed in said seed-plate, the escape of the contents of said seed-cupsbeing regulated by the slide, a capplate and an annular closure supported above the seed-disk, and connecting means between said cap-plate and annular closure, including; a cut-oil device.

16. In aplanter, an intermittently-rotatable seed-disk having a plurality of series of seed cups and annular ribs separating the cups of each series, in combination with spring-actuated cut-ofl fingers bearing upon the surface of the disk and provided at their edges with notches accommodating and engaging the annularribs.

17. Inaplanter, an intermittently-rotatable seed-disk provided with 'equidistantly-spaced series of seed-cups and annular ribs spacing the seed-cups of each series apart, in combi nation with a cut-oil including a plurality ,of individual spring-actuated fingers and ejecting devices consisting of fiat springs secured to the under side of the cut-off plate, extending downwardly and rearwardly, bearing upon the surface of the seed-disk between the annular ribs'of the latter and adapted toiforce the contents ofthe seed-cups into the final exit. 7 v v I .In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our own we have hereto afixed our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM J. Annnnsoii. JAMES w. Honest;

Witnesses: ARTHUR H. Annanson,

Joan E. Annnnson. 

